TCD MS 10516 folio 90 verso
[12th October 1916] phrates slowly but persistently advanced further into the sea and Ur was always being isolated more and more inland, the city would gradually lose its maritime position, difficulties in maintain free commerce would increase, its previous source of wealth would diminish, and the greatness of Ur would commence to decline. As the stranded city would year by year be left higher on the land as the delta advanced at the expense of the sea; its decline would pass into decay and decay into final ruin. Indeed we see the commencement of this sequel of events when we look to the towns that today exist at the head of the Persian Gulf. The town of Basrah now thrives, owing its prosperity to ocean trade. But year by year it is passing further from the sea. Steamers of moderate